Campground planned for Coldwater township

Thursday

Oct 10, 2013 at 7:00 PM

By Don Reiddwreid@aol.comCOLDWATER TOWNSHIP — Plans to build a campground on M-86 in Coldwater Township will need two hearings before officials can move forward.Jeff Friend asked the Coldwater Township Planning Commission on Sept. 24 to approve construction of the campground at 405 Hazel Lane off M-86. Because plans showed some of the more than 200 campsites located closer than 500 feet from residential property across Colon Road that is zoned R-2, Friend would need a variance.The township Zoning Board of Appeals, which has not heard a case in years, will consider the request on Oct. 22 before Friend comes back before the planning commission on Nov. 26 for a hearing on a special use permit required for the agriculture-zoned land.Dennis Bowerman, who lives at 152 E. Colon Road, expressed concern to the township board about the campground and the traffic and activity it might generate."It's right off my front porch" along with other homes to the south, he said.Bowerman was told to come to the ZBA and planning commission meetings. Township officials asked zoning administrator Ron Patch to make sure the commission addresses issues such as at least two adequate entrances and access for fire department vehicles and ambulances when the project is reviewed.Patch pointed out the project will also have to meet state regulations to be licensed as a campground.The zoning administrator said a zip line that had been set up on the property was shut down because it did not have the necessary zoning permits.The ZBA and planning commission meet at the township hall at 319 Sprague Road at 7 p.m.